Winsted-Lester Prairie
Journal, Oct. 14, 2002

Brandon Rehman: a young boy's journey with illness

Two years has passed since Brandon Rehmann of Winsted was
diagnosed with a brain tumor.

His ordeal has been painful, with injections, side effects
of treatment, and tests, yet the family tries to look to the future.

"He's an inspiration to us all," his mother,
Michelle Rehmann, said.

Recently, Brandon was able to meet some members of the
Twins baseball team when he was a "practice buddy," Michelle said.

"Brandon was on the field while the team practiced,
and during breaks the players came over to meet him and sign his baseball
and yearbook," Michelle said.

Brandon, Michelle, and Jon Guggemos, of Winsted, Brandon's
"best, best friend," according to Brandon, stayed for the game
after the practice. Brandon also received a bag of "goodies"
with Twins memorabilia, Rehmann said. "It was very exciting and kind
that the team went out of their way to make a day in our lives so special."

Guggemos, or "Guggie," as Brandon calls him,
is Brandon's closest friend. He drives the family to and from the many doctor's
appointments at Children's Hospital, and accompanied Brandon and Michelle
to Disney World in April 2001. The trip was Brandon's wish from the Make
a Wish Foundation, Rehmann said.

Discovery of a tumor

Brandon's tumor was found shortly before his ninth birthday
in October 2000.

Since kindergarten, Michelle had taken her son to doctors
for his vision, she said.

Before the diagnosis, Michelle had taken him to numerous
doctors, and finally, a specialist at Park Nicollet ordered an MRI, which
revealed the tumor behind his eyes.

He had surgery Oct. 24, 2000 which removed only part of
the malignant tumor, said Rehmann.

"The tumor will never be able to be completely removed
because part of the tumor has grown into glands in his brain," Rehmann
said.

After the surgery, Brandon started chemotherapy in December
2000 and continued for nearly a year, November 2001.

Brandon experienced several bad side effects due to the
chemo including constipation, sensitivity to touch, vision loss in his right
eye (he can only see motion in it now), and weight loss, Rehmann said.

As the end of his chemo treatments neared, Brandon began
having episodes of numbness in his hands, slurred speech, and vision problems
such as blurriness and whiteouts.

Brandon was hospitalized, underwent tests, and even went
to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for a second opinion, but a cause was never
determined, Rehmann said.

During the chemo, "a cystic component" grew inside
the tumor, which affected Brandon's optic nerve and pituitary gland, she
said.

As a result of the cystic component, Brandon requires a
Lupron shot, which is given monthly in his leg until he turns 13. Lupron
is for "precocious puberty," Rehmann said.

He also takes a pill called Synthroid for his thyroid,
which he will have to do for the rest of his life, she said.

Soon Brandon will require weekly growth hormone shots,
also in his leg, for the rest of his life, Rehmann said.

Present, but stable

Currently, Brandon's tumor is stable, Rehmann said. The
family will reassess the situation at the beginning of next year, she said.

The tentative plan is for Brandon to begin radiation treatments
to try to continue shrinking the tumor. However, there are "several
long term side effects that would be much worse for Brandon than the stability
that we have now," Rehmann said.

Brandon, who turned 11 Sunday, attends fifth grade at
Lester Prairie Schools. Due to his illness, he has missed a lot of school,
but he is working with an academic therapist at Children's Hospital twice
a week to get caught up, Rehmann said.

Another obstacle that Brandon faces is repair to his teeth,
which were damaged from chemo, Rehmann said. Brandon will require many dental
exams to repair the damage.

Due to costs incurred from Brandon's illness, the trust
fund at Community Bank Winsted has been re-opened to help the family with
medical, dental, and school related costs. Brandon's insurance will not
cover his dental needs. The fund was opened at the time of Brandon's surgery.